By Agriculture Reporter

In its quest to improve agricultural productivity in the country, Government has disbursed motorcycles to Masvingo Province to capacitate the agricultural extension (Agritex) officers.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana, said that a total of 389 motorcycles had been delivered to Masvingo for further disbursement to the Agritex workers.

“In Masvingo, the Agritex Department has received motorbikes to capacitate field officers in their day to day operations in Wards. The Province received a total of 389 motorcycles. Government is making sure that farmers are fully supported by Agritex Officers,” said Mangwana.

The disbursement of the motorcycles to Masvingo Province follows the mobilization of 5 000 motorcycles by President Mnangagwa as part of Government’s efforts to capacitate and upgrade Agritex workers to enable them to carry their tasks more effectively.

Economic analyst Mr Gerald Ngazirangwa hailed the capacitation of the Agritex officers saying that it will enhance agricultural productivity.

“The provision of extension services will play a crucial role in terms of transforming agriculture to be the centre in the achievement of Vision 2030 goals. When agricultural productivity is enhanced through extension provision and mobility, it will assist the nation to cut import costs, enable job creation as agriculture is expected to create many jobs for the population,” said Ngazirangwa.

Ngazirangwa added that there is also a need for the Ministry to address issues to do with refresher courses for the extension officers as this will ensure that farmers are productive.

Moving in line with the Government’s Agricultural Recovery Plan, Government has since last year disbursed some tablets to Agritex workers so that they can impart adequate farming knowledge to the farmers.